The T20 cricket festival begins in Ahmedabad today with India and England fighting it out in the five-match series at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
After the highs of winning the Test series six days ago against the hapless Englishmen, there is hope the shortest format offers more entertainment and competitive edge. The brand new stadium, with “green space” for 11 pitches to be prepared will be viewed with interest as all matches will be played here in the T20 series.
With Eoin Morgan taking charge as captain, he will find it challenging to motivate the side which was battered and bruised in Ahmedabad in two back-to-back Test matches. This time, all the action will be under floodlights.
The Englishmen are ranked World No.1 in the T20 format and the hosts No.2. This is being seen as a prelude to the ICC World T20 to be held later this year in India. For sure, focus will be on big hitting as T20 is all about fittest, fastest and furious batsmen against bowlers who are ready to show skills.
Here, the emphasis for bowlers is more on being tight and economical. The shift from Tests to T20 is like drinking instant coffee after enjoying pure filter coffee. However much the critics crib that T20 is destroying the fabric of cricket, the short format is innovative.
It will be interesting to see how a player like Rishabh Pant, the find of India’s recent matches in the away tour to Australia and at home in Tests, uses the chances. He has been in and out but his batting had bordered on the bold if not beautiful.
In a way, the other players from India who will also be viewed closely include the youngsters and those picked for the high-brand IPL. That cricket is a non-stop sport is well known. The key is how professionals cope with the rigours of playing hard cricket.
Virat Kohli, the man who led India to a historic series win needs to score runs as well. They seem to have dried up from his blade. Form is temporary and class is permanent. So, his fans are hoping he can again show the strokes which can light up the proceedings under floodlights. Fast bowler Bhuvi is also making a comeback and he will be under the scanner.
One hopes the crowd turnout in Ahmedabad is better. The final Test attendance figures were very low. Perhaps, the weekend mood will be different as the second T20 international is to be played on Sunday.
